Matthews Cafeteria becomes a television star

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Matthews Cafeteria becomes a television star

Photos of Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker, a family-owned business that will be the first cafeteria featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" with host Guy Fieri.

Matthew's Cafeteria in Tucker helped the Food Network break new ground on its show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." The family-owned business is the first cafeteria to be featured on the show. Diane Mitchell, Shirley Vaughnn, Brenda Turpin and Jean Shumake make their selections, which isn't easy since the menu is filled with good comfort food.

The daily menu is posted at various places around the restaurant, a necessary requirement when it is different each day.

Oscar Lazo uses an industrial mixer to whip up mashed potatoes, which like the rest of the menu are made from scratch with no preservatives.

Ana Recinos prepares sweet potato souffle.

The cafeteria's famous fried chicken and mouth-watering mac 'n' cheese are some of the dishes that will be featured on a 10-minute segment of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Office manager Nancy Lewis running the cash register during the lunch rush. At its peak, the line can be 25 people deep.

In a time when it's becoming more difficult to find a bargain, Brenda Turpin had money left over after paying for her lunch.

Empty tables are few and far between during the lunch rush.

Fred Wages, a 79-year-old retired General Motors worker, has been coming to Matthews Cafeteria since the day it opened in 1953. "I'll keep going for as long as I live," he said.

Mark Hubener hugs his friend Leah Sexton after running into her. Hubener is another longtime customer. He has been coming to Matthews since he was 13, more than 50 years.

Dekalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown was among the regulars.

A flier reminds customers that Matthews Cafeteria would be featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Lisa Moultrie leaves as Annette and Jimmy Craft talk to their friend Harold Ross on the sidewalk. Matthews Cafeteria draws a mix of retirees, business people and young professionals.

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Matthew's Cafeteria in Tucker helped the Food Network break new ground on its show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." The family-owned business is the first cafeteria to be featured on the show. Diane Mitchell, Shirley Vaughnn, Brenda Turpin and Jean Shumake make their selections, which isn't easy since the menu is filled with good comfort food.

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